| Description
In February 1980, E. Rodríguez-Almeida joined blank fragments
ni019,
ni019b, and ni019c
(Rodríguez-Almeida 2001, p. 69, figs. 10-12).
The join was made possible by the presence of a tassello hole in the back of the fragments, rectangular in shape and measuring over 8 x 5 cm and ca. 4 cm deep. Together, the three fragment cluster measures 28 x 21 cm, and is 70-71 mm thick, with some pink coloration characteristic of dissolved minium. Rodríguez-Almeida has made pencil markings across the fracture lines on both the front and back surfaces of the fragments to aid in their reunion. The marble characteristics, coloration, and thickness suggest that these fragments may belong with the same slab as fragments
ni069,
ni087,
ni144,
and ni233.
Identification There were many blank areas on the Marble Plan, including the spaces occupied by the Tiber River (see fragment 24d), by gardens, arenas, temple precincts and courtyards--in short, any space devoid of architecture or human construction. In addition, several rows of large marble slabs occupied the entire lower part of the wall of the aula on which the Plan was placed, and probably also the other walls in the room. Blank fragments like this one could have originated from any of these areas.
Significance This database includes the first public presentation of 394 blank fragments from the Plan--they are not catalogued or illustrated in either of the two fundamental publications, PM 1960 and AG 1980. |
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